Two Killed, Five Injured in Shooting Near Seattle’s Iconic Space Needle During Food Festival

At least two people were killed and five others injured after a gunman opened fire during a food festival near Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, police said.

The shooting took place at Seattle Center, just one block away from the famous landmark, during the annual “Bite of Seattle” festival on Sunday evening. Police have not immediately confirmed whether anyone has been arrested or taken into custody in connection with the attack.

In a post on social media platform X, the Seattle Police Department said it was investigating a shooting incident in which multiple people were wounded. Authorities urged the public to avoid the area while the investigation was underway.

The gunfire erupted at around 6 p.m. local time as hundreds of vendors, live music performances, and food attractions were drawing large crowds to the three-day festival. Injured victims were transported to Harborview Medical Center for treatment, according to local reports.

Videos circulating on social media showed panic and chaos among festivalgoers as people rushed to escape after hearing gunshots in the crowded venue. Witnesses told local media that they heard at least seven to eight gunshots before attendees began fleeing in different directions.

One witness, 25-year-old Estan Wakonabo, said the festival area was extremely crowded, with long lines in front of food stalls making movement difficult. He described the scene after the shooting as chaotic, saying people began pushing and running in panic when the gunfire started.

Wakonabo said he later returned to the scene to take photographs and saw several wounded people lying on the ground, including one person covered with a yellow sheet.

The “Bite of Seattle” festival, which began in 1982, is one of the city’s popular annual events. According to the festival’s website, the three-day celebration of food, beverages, and community attracts approximately 350,000 visitors each year.